Our Vote Matters

The Alaska Oregon Washington State Area Conference (AOWSAC) of the NAACP is dedicated to improving the political, educational, social and economic status of all persons, eliminating racial prejudice, and keeping the public aware of the adverse effects of discrimination at the state level.

We have 13 local unit Branches and multiple youth councils, high school councils and prison Branches throughout Alaska, Oregon and Washington committed to addressing issues of discrimination and inequality affecting members in our communities and at the state level.

With this site, our goal is to provide you with information on local Branch events, and links to current news stories featuring AOWSAC’s advocacy efforts.

With the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the need is greater than ever for the NAACP to continue our voting rights advocacy and registration program.

Upcoming Events!

Alaska:

Anchorage - Annual Freedom Fund Celebration, September 23rd featuring North Carolina NAACP President Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. Tickets are now available ($100) and can be purchased at anchoragefreedomfund.eventbrite.com or by calling 907-272-8717.

News Highlights:

September 18, 2017Seattle to Michael Bennett: We've Got Your BackThe Nation
Bennett's connection to these struggles has also had an interesting effect on the Seattle chapter of the NAACP. The National NAACP has called for an NFL boycott over the league's treatment of Kaepernick, but as Gerald Hankerson, leader of the Seattle chapter, said, "We are not going to boycott because we want to support Michael and the team and show that this community supports their efforts to speak out".

The Stranger - SLOG
Vice President Sheley Secrest called the police presence "hurtful" and said she heard one woman in the crowd on a megaphone ask, "Can you belive this is happening?" Seeing SPD officers directly behind families affected by police violence "gave many in the crowd the impression taht attending black led protests would be met with law enforcement intimidation tactics," she said.

June 19, 2017Pregnant mother shot dead by police whom she called for helpNBC News"What police are touting as improvement, we rebuke," said Gerald Hankerson, president of the NAACP of Seattle-King County. "If you ask the black community, things are just as bad today as they were before the consent decree so what is the point of even having one," he said. "How is it possible that a woman who called the police for help ended up dead?" he said.

June 1, 2017South Seattle EmeraldRepealing Obamacare will disproportionately harm black people and people of color
OpEd by President Hankerson: Blacks maintain the highest unemployment rate in King County. Trumpcare targets precisely these populations for the elimination health care. In our state and across the country people of color will be forced into medical debt, which is the biggest barrier for wealth in communities of color.

May 25, 2017Alaska Dispatch NewsAlaska's senators must do right by Alaskans on health careOpEd by President McGee: It is unrealistic to expect Donald Trump to read or understand TrumpCare, and he apparently does not care if it results in the bankruptcy or premature death of Alaskans who would be affected by this bill. If Trump doesn't care, it is particularly important that Murkowski and Sullivan represent Alaskans at this critical moment.